Emergency Skills Needed in a Crisis

Emergency workers are truly a different breed. Bravery, leadership, critical thinking, a calm demeanor in crisis, compassion, and empathy are all in a day’s work. Here are a few more emergency skills that can be used at any time.

Firefighters
Firefighters handle a wide range of emergencies. When they’re not containing fires and assisting victims, they respond to car accidents, natural disasters, bomb threats, terrorist attacks, and incidents involving hazardous materials. They make water rescues as well as assist in evacuations. Most are trained to perform lifesaving procedures before paramedics arrive. Firefighters need the physical strength to work with heavy machinery. Like all emergency responders, urgent-duty driving skills are a must. Firefighters do a lot more than put out fires and rescue kittens from trees. If you’re considering this career, make sure you can handle the heat.

Paramedics
Paramedics work within impossible time constraints to sustain life until a patient reaches the hospital. They are jacks-of-all-trade when it comes to knowledge of the human body. Paramedics are extensively trained in cardiac support, triage, burn treatment, airway management, bleeding control, obstetrics, and many more emergency procedures. Keeping the wounded immobile during transport, especially when spinal injuries are involved, is an important part of the job. They aid victims of accidental poisoning and prevent drug overdoses from becoming fatal. They must also be proficient in their knowledge of medications and how they are administered. These dedicated caregivers are adept at making life-and-death decisions.

Police Officers
Police work is not for the faint of heart, and keeping a cool head might be the hardest part of the job. Officers of the law must identify and defuse potentially volatile situations. They must be good at conflict resolution and have the ability to quickly decide if someone is aggressive or merely uncooperative. They are skilled with firearms but trained to use minimal force. Integrity and restraint are attributes that often go unnoticed. Most are trained in more than just the academy. Some even get degrees like a masters in safety online or paramedic training as well. These added credentials give them a boost in their career and make their jobs a little easier.

Other Unsung Heroes
Aside from lawmen, paramedics and firefighters, many others work behind the scenes to keep the public safe. 9-1-1 operators sometimes have only seconds to make critical judgments. It’s up to them to calm those in distress and inspire confidence. Degrees and careers in occupational safety are on the rise. Occupational specialists identify hazards in the workplace such as toxic materials and dangerous equipment. There are many more unsung heroes like forest rangers, public utility electricians, and mine rescue workers.

A lot can go wrong in this world – hats off to the champions who put their own lives on the line every day.